Eclectic is probably the best word to describe the celebrities who went down the red carpet at the Starkey Hearing Foundation's "So the World May Hear" gala last Sunday at St. Paul's RiverCentre. With guests such as Lou Ferrigno, Verne Troyer, Brad Childress, Paige Hemmis, Sam Moore, Tony Bennett and Shawn Pyfrom of "Desperate Housewives", it was impossible to predict which Hollywood, sports or music star might stroll along next.
The cause that united them was the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which distributes hearing aids to kids worldwide. Starkey founder and CEO Bill Austin and his wife, foundation co-founder Tani Austin, held court on the carpet, posing with the celebs and party guests.
Attendees could relate to the gift of hearing. "My whole career is based on hearing music," said 'N Sync's JC Chasez, who noted that his least favorite sound is the "alarm clock in the morning."
Minnesotan Larry Fitzgerald Jr., who plays for the Arizona Cardinals, actually does like mornings. His happiest noise is "waking up at my house in Minneapolis and listening to the birds."
The event raised more than $5 million for the organization. That's music to anyone's ears.
Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177
